Method and apparatus for the manufacture of pottery ware



Feb. 9, 1943. `w 1 MlLLER A v 2,310,858

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THEMANFACTURE OF POTTERY WARE w. J. MILLER 2,310,858

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY WARE Feb. 9, 1943.

4' sheets-sheet 2 original Filed Nov. 4, 1931 NNI'.

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w. J. MILLER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY WARE 4 sheets-smet 3 Original Filed Nov. 4, 1951 rzL-fenr. Wil/Mrz J. Z//er W.*J. MILLER Feb. 9; 1943;

2,310,858 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR 'IVHE MANUFACTUBE OF POTTERY WARE Original Filed Nov. 4, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ,Even-n. )Vil/m Jzz'ller Z ma@ cated into ware. These angles are preferably treated with a substance such as castor oil to reduce adhesion of the clay thereto but may be lined with a porous material such as felt to decrease adhesion. The pug mills, Figs. 1 and 2, of the extrusion type, are provided with controllable connections l'b for conveying a heating medium such as steam, hot air, or electricity to chambers lc in the shell of the pug mills and/or the vinterior of the same to raise and control the temperature of the extruded slug of clay, or the clay and water may be heated prior to insertion in the pug for a purpose hereafter explained. To provide for the making of multiple kinds and sizes of ware, each requiring a diiferent quality of clay or size of extruded slug, I provide a plurality of pug mills in close proximity to the fabricating machine and each pug may be provided with a plurality of openings la: (Fig. 5) for extruding slugs of diiferent cross-sectional sizes and/or shapes. Also each pug may be fed with clay of different color, quality or condition.

The angles or pellets D serve to preserve the shape of the extruded slug C and provide for stacking the slugs without the clay slugs themselves coming in contact with each other due to the angles being larger than the slugs. The angles D also provide for transporting without distortion and applying in correct position and alignment, the slugs to the belts in the feeder station. The slugs and also the supporting angles D are made to a size suited to the size of the ware being made, thus, when a large charge is necessary, slugs of larger cross section are employed than when making small ware. The maintenance of cross sectional uniformity of the slug is of supreme importance as it provides for subsequent accurate segregation of charges having a uniform bulk. Also, the compacting of the clay by the pug orifice serves to eliminate cavities or other defects in the clay which might be reflected in the ware subsequently made. Any lapping or juncture marks in clay, prior to application, have a detrimental effect on the ware produced and it is desirable after slugs leave the pug orifice, to avoid any mastication or lapping over effect tending to produce lines of juncture.

A frame housing a series of belts le supported on rollers If mounted on anti-friction bearings, suitably supported in position under the pug orices, serves to support the angles D to receive the relatively limber slugs as they emerge from the extruding orifices, and to provide clearance for inserting and supplying empty angles D. I arrange the oriices of the pugs P at the lower side of the casing.

The angles and deposited slugs are moved to the right (Fig. 2) by the force of the extruded clay and to prevent distortion of the slugs by reaction of the angles, the belts le slope slightly downwards from the mouth of the pug mill. As all the slugs from a multi-orifice pug mill do not emerge at a uniform speed, each belt supports one slug only and is mounted on rollers independent of the others. A gap I g between the belts facilitates cutting the slugs at the joints between the angles.

The slug sizes are also progressively stepped in height for each given width and the Widths are also progressively stepped to thereby provide a slug having a cross-section best suited to the production of a compact charge when segregated. To avoid complication, a minimum number of slug sizes should be used.

To enable a single pug mill P to deliver slugs asmt of different cross-section, and for controlling the number of slugs extruded, the mill is provided, as shown in Fig. l, with interchangeable die members having orifices of different shapes and sizes. The mouth of the pug mill has a slot Ih, open at both ends, into which the oriced die I7 can be slidingly inserted. The die is located in the slot by a screw llc, and gibs prevent the die from being pushed away from the pug casing by the clay. Screws lm (only an upper screw shown) are provided in the outer lips of the slot Ih7 which enable the die to be seated against the inner faces of the slot and also permit the pressure of the clay on the die to be relaxed when it is desired to change the die. This is effected by inserting the new die into the slot unit it is in edgewise abutment against the die to be removed, and then pressing the new die into place with simultaneous ejection of the other die.

The slugs C thus deposited on the transportable angle supports D may be manually delivered to the chage segregating and feeding station apparatus A One way of doing this is shown in. Fig. 4 in which the angle and slug are shown atl the left, placed in a position alongside a con-- veyor belt of the feeder station, which position isA definitely located by an angle guide DI which can be adjusted on its support D2, by means of a screw D3 extending through a slot D4 in the support D2, to suit slugs of different width, 'I'he angle support D, and the slug C, are then merely tilted over into the position shown at the right of Fig. 4 in dotted lines, in which the slug is supported by the feed belt, and the angle then removed.

When making ware of a staple kind in which continuous production over a long period of time is desired, the slugs may be automatically fed into the feeding station A by means which will now be described. An individual extrusion apparatus or pug mill Fig. 1 is mounted in front of each feed apparatus, see Figs. 6 and 7, and is arranged to eXtrude clay intermittently in amounts determined by computation or by previous practice directly into said feed apparatus.

A short idler belt |8011. or rollers to reduce advance resistance and support the slug may be interposed between the die Iy and the feeder jaws le. This belt I8ca takes the place of the feed belt lac shown in Figs. 6-'7 and subsequently described.

The pug mill P delivers the slug C directly onto the belt Ica., this mill being driven by a motor 2j through gears 2h. The motor starter is controlled by a relay 2k.

An anchor 2r is provided, adapted to engage the slug and be moved thereby. This anchor 2r is pivoted on a bell crank lever 2s and its travel is defined by stops 2t and 2t| forming contacts in the circuit of the relay 27C. A spring 2u urges the anchor 2r in the direction of the stop 2t in the motor starting branch 2t2 of the relay circuit, which spring is tensioned by the slug as lt advances to the right. The stop 2t can be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the stop 2t! in order to provide for adjustment of slug advance and size of charge or gob, for which purpose the stop is mounted on va screwed rod 2t3 .co-operating with threaded guide 2t4 and has an indexed operating head 2t5 and scale Ztl. The other stop Ztl may be Xed and it is connected in the motor stopping branch 2t6 of the elay circuit. The anchor A2r is raised by a cam The operation is as follows: The anchor 21'a is raised from the slug by the cam Zw whereupon the spring 2u moves it against the stop 2t which energizes the motor starting branch of the relay circuit and causes the motor to start and a slug to be extruded by the pug mill P on to the belt I Bca. As the slug advances it carries the anchor 2r against the stop Ztl thereby energizing the motor stopping branch of the relay circuit and stopping the motor stopping branch of the relay circuit and stopping motor. The jaws |86, Figs. 6 and '7, then pinch off the gob. The motor remains stopped until the cam Zw, Fig. 1, again actuates the anchor and initiates another cycle. The cam 2u; is driven from the machine drive in suitably timed relation with respect to the operation of the jaws ite. I thus directly measure the slug -advance instead of slug support as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The mold conveyor and the fabricating units of the machine are mounted in a `frame comprising a main frame casting and a secondary frame casting. The main frame casting consists of longitudinal members il, a base lia, brackets 4a| spacing the base from the longitudinal members 4, brackets db extending `upwardly from the members 4, and feet 4f, all these parts forming an integral casting. Cross bars 4c having bearings in the lbrackets tb sustain the secondary frame casting 4112, which has a middle horizontal member 4a3 secured to the cross bars by means of screws Aad, a lower horizontal member 4a5, and an upper bracket portion dat. Upper tracks 4d and lower tracks 4e for the mold trays are mounted on the brackets Ab and feet if respectively. The main frame members 4 are provided with bearings 4h supporting a shaft 4i to which a gear di and a pair of sprockets 47C are secured. At the right hand end, the frame members 3 are provided with bearings supporting a pair of sprockets '5c secured to a shaft 5d. Two chains carrying the trays 5f are in engagement with sprockets 5c and 4k and are supported intermediate thereof by the trunnions 5g of the trays. The trays are in sliding engagement with the tracks 4d and 4e. The chains extend through a drier. The gear 47' is in engagement with pinion 5h rotated by a shaft 5i and a worm gear drive 57' driven by a shaft 5k. A motor 6 supplies power and transmits its motion to the shaft 5k through gears Ea and 6b, a shaft 6c, and 5k! and a clutch 6d, thus providing for continuous rota-tion of the sprocket Mt. The trays 5f (Fig. 15) are hung above their center of gravity by their trunnions 5g so they will be maintained in a horizontal position regardless of direction of travel of chain 5. The shaft 6c, in addition to driving the conveyor sprockets, also drives the device for actuating the mold trays in the slack portion of the mold conveyor, which is more fully described and claimed in my British Patent No. 293,023. For this purpose the shaft Ec is connected by worm gearing 8 to a cross-shaft 6a carrying a pair of cams 8b (Fig. 16) which cams oscillate levers 8c pivoted to the frame at 8d, rollers on the levers engaging the operative cam track.

The levers 8c have at their upper ends adjustable pawls iig making intermittent contact with the trunnions 5g on the right hand stroke of the levers only and trailing idly as the levers move to the left, thus providing for shifting some of the trays intermittently to the right in the course of the general advance of the chain and trays over sprockets 4k and 5c.

' As the trays are shifted to the right', slack accumulates to the right of the shifted tray and is dissipated or absorbed to the left of the tray due to the synchronization of sprockets throughout the machine as explained in the parent patent.

The cross shaft 8a, Fig. 15, is also used to drive the fabricating units of the machine, for which purpose a sprocket 9 is secured to shaft 8a and transmits motiony through a chain 9c to a sprocket 9b, driving a shaft 9d to which are secured cams for operating the various implements positioned above the trays, see Fig. .16. To provide for eliminating resiliency in the elevation of the chucks I0 and secured to shafts lila and Ha, a toggle mechanism is provided.

A cam Illb on shaft 3a oscillates a lever ld pivoted at its lower end on a fulcrum ||ld| and carrying a roller Hic engaging the cam. vThe upper end of this lever IEld is jointed by a link 0e to a lever |0f connected by suitable joints Illy, to one of the toggle levers lah, pivoted medially on a fulcrum ||lh| The other toggle member |01' is jointed at its upper end Idil to the chuck stem |0d or spindle lla and at its lower end |0112 to the toggle lever Uh, this joint constituting the knee of the toggle. The parts are so arranged that in one position the toggle members Ilm, |01' and the chuck stern are in alignment providing rigid vertical support lfor the chuck while in the other condition the toggle parts are collapsed, corresponding to lowered chuck.

As it is of vital importance to insure against uncontrolled resiliency to obtain accurate terminal elevation to the chucks l and as will be eX- plained later, the toggle mechanism, due to the elements thereof Ibeing in compression and not subjected to bending strain, provides a simple but ecient solution. As the cam lllb is rotated, the chucks ||l and Il are caused to reciprocate in synchronism with the movement of the conveyor 5, the shifting mechanism and the cam shaft 8a.

The shaft 8a has also adjustably secured thereto, two cams I6 (not shown) serving to reciprocate a pitman for controlling the rotation of the chuck of the profile station B.

In Figs. 15 and 16, the cam shaft 9d has secured thereto two cams Se and which are in engagement with rollers Eif to the frame 4a at one end and at the other to a cross head 9k, pivoted at 9m for operating a plunger which feeds the clay charges to the molds. A guide bar 917 Fig. 15, depends from the pivot 9m and is guided at 9o. A roller 9p is pivotally secured to im and a lever Sq is pivoted to the frame at one end and to a tension spring 9s at the other. A cam portion 9T contacts with the roller in such a way that when the crosshead 9k is in its lowermost position, the spring 9s exerts its maximum pressure, and, when the cross head is in its uppermost position, the lever 9g and cam portion 9:1* are substantially in a vertical position and exert no vertical pressure on the roller Sip and consequently the cross head 9k descends by gravity only at its upper end of travel, and under progressively increased spring power at its lowermost end of travel. The shaft 9d has secured thereto a grooved cam (not shown) for operating the profiling and trimming appliances at station B. The shaft 9d also has secured thereto, cams Sw operating on a roller I4 (Fig. 16) secured to lever Ida, which in turn is lpivoted to the frame da at bij and at the other end to a cross bar lc for operating slug severing jaws as hereinafter described. Cams 9x for' the feed belt drive are adjustably secured to the cams Sw by screws Sy and contact with rollers Md secured to lever |4e which in turn is pivoted to the frame 4a at |4f and at the other end connect with a cross bar |4g| which actuates the pitmans |4g which in turn actuate the belt moving mechanism hereinafter described. The horizontal bar |4g| severs to operate all the pitmans |4g to thus avoid the use of a separate cam and lever for feeding each slug. A fork secured to the pitmans I 4g severs to operatively connect pitmans |,4g and bar ||g|.

In Fig. 15, protractor dials 'Saa are shown secured to the ends of the shafts 8a and 9d for the purpose of ascertaining and recording, for subsequent re-setting, the various cams on the cam shafts to thereby provide for predetermined setting of various functions of each separate mechanism to suit various types of ware and conditions of clay etc. obtained by previous tests. A pointer Bab facilitates accuracy.

An adjustable coupling 6h connecting shafts 5k and 60 facilitates adjustment of the cam shaft 8a with that of the sprocket 41s to initially bring the chain slack and tray shift into synchronism.

The machine may be equipped with units, one to make cups, another saucers, another cereals, bread and butter plates, dinner plates, etc., so that at each functioning of the machine, one complete unit of a dinner set may be fabricated to thereby provide for synchronized production of dinner sets (except pieces of irregular shape which have to be cast), without the necessity of storage of one article while another is being made.

In Fig. 16, the feeder unit A is sho-wn as secured to a frame girder A1 by means of dowelled studs A2, a series of holes being provided in girder A1.

When employing the transferring angles, Fig. 3, the preferred form of belt structure for feeding the slugs is as shown in Figs, 6 and 7. Each slug feeder belt |80 which is endless and made of rubber covered non-resilient material, is mounted so the upper run thereof is at a higher elevation than the surface of a platen |8c| to thereby reduce or avoid contact and resistance to the advance of the projecting end of the slug and insure uniform and reliable advance. This platen may be hollow and have a porous upper face through which air under pressure can be forced to prevent adhesion or release the slug tip from the platen.

A rectangular frame |802 houses a series of drive rollers |803 for the belt, which is supported on idle rollers |804 and undulated over the rollers |803 which are of small diameter to provide ample traction in a minimum vertical space. The front belt roller |805 is mounted in a yoke |808 slidably arranged on the frame |802 and adjustable relatively thereto by means of screws |801 threaded in lugs |808 of the frame |802, for the purpose of keeping the belt taut.

A depending extension |809 of the frame |802 rests on a crossbeam |80| of the machine frame in which is fixed a series of spaced dowels |80| The feeder belt frames |802 have corresponding dowel holes whereby the frames can be easily and accurately located transversely of the machine in alignment with the devices with which the slug feeders co-operate. The other end of the belt frame |802 rests on a frame member |8 or base-29h hereinafter described, and is located by dowels |8c|2 and do-wel holes in like manner. One of the belt driving rollers |803 has secured thereto a spider |9b, Fig. 8, of a clutch mechanism. This in its periphery, housing rollers |9e pressed by springs |9d against the inner periphery of a ring gear |9f meshing with rack teeth |99 on the reciprocable pitman |4g. As the pitman |4g is reciprocated, the clutch mechanism causes the rollers |8c3 and consequently the belt |80 to be progressed forward, in one direction only, the rollers |90 trailing idly when the ring gear |9f rotates clockwise.

In Fig. 7, is shown a structure which provides for accurately adjusting the extent of progression of the belt |80. The belt roller |803 is driven by the friction drive, Fig. 8, and the pitman Mg is guided in the frame member |809. A micrometer screw |9lc is screw threaded in the frame member |809, its graduated head |9p cooperating with the fixed scale 9o. This screw |9lc serves as stop for an abutment |Sg| on the pitman |4g. The pitman Mg is pushed to the left by means such as a 0am operating in timed relation with the ma.- chine and retracted by a spring |9m so that its travel termination to the left is constant and its travel to the right is adjustable. Presuming that one rotation of screw ISIC advances the screw one graduation on scale |90, it is evident that minute micrometer adjustments of the advance of the pitman |4g and consequently of the clay slug C may be made while the machine is in operation andby noting the 4position of the lndicating dial and the scale |90, and with a predetermined size slug on the belt |80, the machine may be set to cut off extremely accurate Weight charges initially without tedious experiment. Also, the weight may be increased or decreased to a known extent quickly and while the machine is in operation.

The abutment |9g| with which the screw |9k contacts, is adjustably secured to one end of the pitman |49, by means of notches in the pitman and a corresponding tooth on the abutment, a spring |892 holding the parts in engagement. This provides for quick major adjustments of slug advance. A scale on the rack indicates the position of the abutment.

To provide for discontinuing the feeding of clay to any unit, a latch 2| slidably socketed in the frame |802 is provided, which when thrown into engagement with a notch of the pitman Mg holds the pitman |4g in extended position and prevents progression of the clay.

Figs. 6 and 7 also show the preferred mechanism for segregating charges of clay from the preformed slug and delivering the charge to the mold. The frame member I8 is of open rectangular box-like construction and houses a pair of jaws |86 pivoted at |8f to the top portion Id of the member |8. A vertical bore |8g extends through the jaws and the exterior entrance end |871, of the jaws are in the form of an arc having the center of the hinge or pivot pin I8 f as a center. Bearing against this contoured surface |8h, are slug guides |81' serving to guide the slug C centrally to the bore |8g. These guides |8i have scraper ends |87' which bear against the contoured surface |8h of the jaws |8e and serve to scrape off any clay that might adhere to the face |871, and thereby prevent accumulation of clay at that point. The cutting edges I9 of the jaws |80 when in open position are substantially in alignment with the Scrapers |87' so that all the clay will be scraped off and an unbroken surface provided for entrance of the slug C. The Scrapers IM are adjustably supported as by the adjustable link |8lc which permits their angle of inclination relaspider is provided with wedge shaped recesses |90 'N SI tive to the slug sides and their extent of approach of each other, or slug clearance to be adjusted. The spring I8m serves to resiliently maintain the edge |85 against the jaw face I8h. The pivots |871. of the link ISIC are in form of bolts to clamp the link in any desired position at one or both ends. The tension of the spring ISm is adjusted by screw ISO to thereby adjust the degree of pressure with which the scrapers I8?" contact with the jaws I8e.

The guides Itlz' are preferably faced with a porous material over a chamber connected to a source of air at superatmospheric pressure through control valves, to repel slugs of adhesive nature from their surfaces to insure unretarded accurate advance of the slug.

However, when clay of a less adhesive nature is being used a highly polished, abrasive resistant face, such as chrome plate may be employed.

The jaws I8e are provided with lugs 30 and arms 30a, and are operated by means of a reciprocable yoke 20j driven through a sliding bar I4c| by lever Ida and cross bar |'Ic. This yoke has tapered ledges engaging tapered flanks of the jaw lugs 30 in the left hand movement of the yoke 297', to close and lock the jaws, and dogs 30e which engage the jaw arms 30a in the right hand movement of the yoke, to open the jaws. The jaws are cut away at the side nearer the pivot |8f and a separate complementary member I8e| corresponding in shape to the cut away portion is stationarily mounted in the frame I8 or as an extension of a bushing 29e, to prevent advance of the clay beyond the rear of the orice. The mating edges |862 of the member I8e| and of the cut away part of the jaws are circular to wipe off any clay which may be projected over the joint face.

As the jaws |86 close to sever a charge, the cutting edges I9 will displace some material to right and left. When extremely soft sticky clay is employed, it tends to sag against the jaw faces |871, and to adhere thereto.

To avoid this I provide for simultaneously cutting and retracting the slug end away from the faces |871. as, in Fig. 10, I show a method of retracting the belt to a known extent as the jaws close. A lever I9q frictionally engages the shaft |91', and at its other end on one side abuts against a stop |9s and on the other side against an adjustable spring 19t; a screw I9u adjustably limits the clockwise travel of the lever I9q. As the belt is progressed, the spring ISt is compressed and on the return movement of the pitman Mg, the spring |9t is compressed and on the return movement of the pitman leg, the spring 19t tends to reverse the direction of travel of the beltl |80 to a known extent to thus retract the material away from the jaws I8e.

In Fig. 8A, a modified form of retracting mechanism is shown. The belt I8c has secured to it a chain |91) which is advanced directly by pitman Illg through pawls |9w spaced to engage the chain links progressively, so that the slug is advanced positively to a known extent and the retraction is governed by the back pressure from the jaws aided by the degree of pressure of the inclined iianks of the pawls I Sw against the links of the chain |911, the degree of which may be adjusted through the screws |9x and the springs Illy.

Figs. 6 and '7 show, as an example, a preforming mechanism for bowls o-r cups, it. being understood that the teachings of this invention are applicable to the making of flatware simply by mounting the proper form of die R for 20h, see

Figs. 9, 9A 4and 9B. The frame I8 of the jaw mechanism is provided with a quickly removable base 29D. A porous die 2Gb is cemented or otherwise removably secured in the die base 20a, Fig. 12, or directly in the base 291) encircling the sleeve 20c secured permanently in the base, a chamber 20d being provided between the die and the sleeve. A conduit 20e provides for conveying, under valved control, a fluid under substantial pressure to the chamber 26d. The die proper 20h is of porous material such as porous mixture of 4cement and sand, open structure bisque, etc. A plunger 2li]e provided with a porous face 29g is in telescopic engagement with the sleeve 20c and is provided with a stern 291' and chamber 20h communicating through control valves with a source of compressed air. Said stem Zi is adjustably secured to a cross head 9k, Figure 16, for vertical reciprocation.

Fig. 'l also shows a structure for quickly interchanging the feeder plunger 29j in predetermine'd position and also for making minor adjustments. The upper portion Illd of the frame I8 is bored and provided with a guide bushing 9M bored to lit the largest diameter plunger of a series adaptable thereto. The plunger 29j is internally threaded and provided with a screw or detent 9166 for adjustably securing it to the plunger stem 291. A clamp bar is secured to the stud and provided with a boss 9k3 which is a sliding nt in a bushing 9k!! and two dowels 9k5 are secured in the bar SICIv and enter accurately spaced holes in the crosshead 9k aligned with the holes in the other supports heretofore described, serving to accurately position the plunger relatively to other apparatus without tedious adjustment. The parts 9163 and 29j are provided with an index dial and pointer to visibly ascertain and record the adjustment, the detent 9156 serving for quick adjustment while in operation, As shown in Fig. 16, the stud 29a' extends up through an other clamp bar 59k, nut 50m and key E9n. The narrow width of the bar SICI permits the quick removal of the entire assembly through the cross head 9k by simply loosening the nut 50m to clear the dowels 9165, Figure 6, then rotating the assembly The upper guide bushing 9M is common to all diameters of plungers, therefore need not be exchanged. These provisions enable the plunger to be adjusted correctly, before installation, from previous records, and delay in production is avoided.

Figs. 6 and '7, also show mechanism for quick interchange of dies. The floor of the frame I8 is cut away and the inner sides are provided with grooves 29 through which project detents 29a. The die base 29h is tongued at the sides to fit into the grooves 29 and on its upper surface provided with a wearing plate or platen IBcI. The ducts 291' connect through quickly removable couplings to valves for the application and control of fluid such as those shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 513,017. To replace a die, the plunger is elevated, the air connection is uncoupled and the die with its base is pulled out to the right or left and another die slipped into place and coupled up, and as the seatings are snug and accurately machined, instant alignment with the mold is assured. The detent 29a insures alignment and prevents accidental displacement of the die.

The operations of feeding and preforming are performed as follows: A slug of clay is placed on the belt |80, the jaws 18e being open, the slug is advanced a .predetermined distance beyond the vcutting portions I9, and over the opening 18g (Fig. 6), the jaws then close, cutting off the projecting stub and also then tend to compress and form to partial cylindrical shape, the pinched off gob or piece of the slug. This compressing also serves to hold the gob and prevent it from falling out of the opening lg prematurely. The plunger 20j now descends forcing the charge, and simultaneously the mold is elevated, and the charge is forced out of the severing jaws and downwardly onto the mold, Fig. 9, and then progressively compressed and spread over the mold as shown in Fig 9A and Fig. 9B, the mold shown being for flatware but the operations are substantially the same in making cups or bowls. The charge first contacts with the middle of the mold, then is gradually spread over the surface of the mold, progressively contacting with the surface thereof to an equal degree all around and pushing out any air in advance thereof.

The termination pressure is very high due to the gradual restriction of the space between the mold and die and is further accentuated by the circumferential final substantial closing of the gap between said mold and die.

A ring Zilbl Fig. 7 of resilient material such as rubber is preferably mounted on the die adjacent the Ware brim to define and finally compact said brim. Its resiliency facilitates slight vertical variation in mold elevation. for determining bat thickness, without substantially altering the degree of brim compacting. Under excessive pressure it yields and permits the excess clay to escape in thin sheet form and on decompression it progressively parts from the clay bat brim. A resilient porous material such as felt may be employed and air under pressure applied thereto during parting of bat from the die to absoluteli ensure release.

The final elevation of the mold and final depression of the plunger may or may not be simultaneous as found most advantageous. The complete elevation of the mold is only momentarily to provide a pause during which the applied clay charge stabilizes itself and comes to rest. After this short pause, it is preferred to drop the mold slightly by providing cam lb, Figure 4, with an offset Ibi, and, substantially simultaneously admit compressed air to the cavities d and 20h. and concurrently through the porous die 29h and head Zg to the juncture of the formed clay bat and the porous die, which serves to rupture the bond, repel the clay bat from the die, and ensure adhesion of the bat to the mold. The chuck is kept elevated to hold in this position the maximum period of time permissi-ble in a cycle, thereby providing a prolonged interval during which the bat and mold may be repelled from the die without serious consequences. Should there be a slight tendency to adhere and the chuck were immediately lowered, then the mold would drop a considerable distance and might be broken by the impact. However, this short drop being only about 'i of an inch, provides for delayed release without serious consequences and consequent interruption of operations. To still further provide against possibility of adhesion of the bat and mold to the porous die, and also insure adhesion of the bat to the mold, vacuum is applied in the chuck just prior to final elevation of the mold, then prior to the mold contacting with the tray seat, the vacuum is shut olf and super atmospheric pressure may be admitted to release the mold from the chuck. To provide against the formation of ring marks on the ware the charge is spread preferably rather quickly which prevents halting of the spreading action which might otherwise take place due to setting or hardening of the clay before the charge has completely covered the mold. To further insure against interruption or derangement in operation, the degree of hardness at certain points may be increased on the molds Where they are subjected to wear or severe pressure from bat application.

A modified slug severing and clay charge feeding mechanism is shown in Figs. 11 and 12'. Jaws Ifle defining an aperture 18g, are pivoted on pivots I8! and operated by a yoke 2M through links Mm. Extensions i310 are provided on the entrance end of the jaws 28e which serve to compress and preform the nose of the slug to a definite width after which a plunger l8r: descends and compresses the preformed slug within the jaws |810 to a predetermined height, said plunger being hollow and provided with a porous facing Il. The plunger cavity |82 is connected with a source of super atmospheric pressure. The jaws lSw are also faced with a porous material and have Connections H82 connect-ed to a supply of air at super atmospheric pressure thus providing for repelling the formed charge from the jaws and preventing adhesion. As an auxiliary to plunger l8r, a presser foot l83 with an inclined porous operative face is provided which serves to partially reduce and, to a degree, push back or retract the excess material from the preforming jaws. The jaws |86 are provided with a cutting edge I9 which serves to segregate the charge from the slug. The belt is intermittently progressed forward to advance the slug to the jaws. This degree of advance once set must be maintained constant and the extent of this advance is adjustable, preferably whil-e in operation and to a known extent (see Fig. 10).

Another modified form of device for feeding the clay slug to the severing jaws is shown in Fig. 13.

In this figure the guides for the slug are shown in the form of rollers lp whose outer surface is of porous material, each mounted on a pivot or spindle lq which is stationary and contains two chambers l8r, 18s separated by a partition. The chamber l8r is connected in any suitable manner to a source of compressed air and the chamber I8s on the clay Compacting vside of the roller, to a source of vacuum. These spindles I8q are adjustably secured to the frame |8d and the rollers Hip are rotated by means of a bevelled gear drive somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 14. When a slug of clay comes in contact with the rollers, it adheres thereto due to the suction set up through the porous wall of the roller and chamber 18s and is repelled by the super at-l mospheric pressure through the walls of the roller after it passes dead center between the rollers. The height of the charge is limited by a roller, not shown, similar to that shown at ISU, Fig. 14. This arrangement provides for drawing a nonuniform over-sized slug of clay forward and reducing it to a uniform size in cross section. Also, the degree or extent of progression of the slug that has passed between the rollers may be predetermined.

Fig. 14 shows another modification of this wherein belts l8t, preferably made of porous material, or fabric, operate over rollers l8t| and |8t2 whose periphery may or may not be of porous material or equipped for sub or super atmospheric pressure application are provided for advancing a non-uniform over-sized slug, reducing it to a uniform size and advancing it a predetermined distance. The rollers I18N are driven in unison by bevel Wheels l8t3 from the rod Mg, andthe rollers I8-t2 are adjustably mounted to vary the gap between them.

A modiiiedl form of drive'forV the slug feed` belt is shown in Figure 10;

In this figure a ratchet Wheel` lbl, lever I'4-g, and pawl |9g2 are shown as a means of progressing the belt l8c, and the degree of advance is shown as adjustable while in operation by means of a movable pivot I9h of the leverV 14g". The adjustment of the pivot is effected by a screw and crank mechanism |91' as described'in my' previous application Serial No. 275,395. A series of pawls |9g2 may be applied in such a way as to' fall into the ratchet teeth progressively to thereby pro-vide for closer adjustment oi progression.

I claim:

1. The process of making pottery ware which comprises, forming a compact slug of conditioned clay of predetermined cross-section, laying the slug in a rigid rec-eptacle, emptying thev slug therefrom onto a movable support, applying.v force to the support to advance the slug in steps of. measured length to a severing location, severing a com'- pact goby from said slug and applying the gob to the working surface of a porousv mold.

2. The process of applying clay to a porous jigger mold which comprises, depositing tl'ie mold in a chuck, feeding a charge of clay thereto, u

spreading the charge rapidly on the mold. under increasing pressure by approachingsaid mold and a co-operating porous surface, lowering the chuck slightly from the said surface, retaining the chuck temporarily in said lowered position, and applying fluid under pressure. through the pores of said surface to repel the clay and mold therefrom and return the mold to said chuck.

3. In a machine for making pottery ware the combination which comprises, a. porous mold, a mold support, a conveyor adapted to support an elongated slug of clay, means for advancing said slug stepwise towards the mold, means for cutting and compressing' gobs. from said slug, `and means for feeding said gobs onto the` porous mold.

4. In a machine for making pottery ware the combination which comprises, a porous mold, a mold support, a conveyor adapted to support an elongated slug of clay, means for advancing said slug stepwise towards the mold, means for cutting and compressing gobs from said' slug, means for visibly predetermining thev bulk of the gob, and means for feeding said gobsv onto thev porous mold.

5. In a machine for making pottery Ware, the

combination which comprises, movable supports carrying ware mol-ds, a conveyor adapted to support an elongated slug ofY clay, means for advancing said slug stepwise towards a mold,Y in timed relation with the movement of the supports, means for cutting and compressing gobs from said slug, and means for determining the length of the gobs.

6. In a machine for making pottery ware the combination which comprises, a conveyor adapted to support an elongated slug of clay, means for advancing said slug stepwise, jaws between which the front end of the slug is fed, said jaws defining a chamber, mechanism for opening and closing the jaws in timed relation with the advance of the slug, a plunger movable through said chamber to expel the clay gob severed by closure of the jaws, and means for supporting and operating a porous mold below said plunger.

7. In apparatus for manufacturing pottery- Ware, the combination whichY comprises, *means forming. a chamber for confining a ware charge, means for'feeding clay slugs, progressively into said chamber, means for varying theamount of clay fed into the chamber, means for severing the clay from said slug, amold and support therefor disposed below and in. registry with said chamber and means for progressing the charge from the chamber onto said mold.

8. In apparatus for manufacturing potteryware, the combination which comprises, means forming a chamber for conning a ware charge, means for feeding clay from a clay mass into said chamber, means for varying the amount of clay fed into the chamber, means for severing the clay in said chamber from the mass, means for progressing the charge from the chamber onto a mold, means for spreading' the charge over the moldV surface and means for substantially excluding atmospheric air from the charge while beingsoprogressed.

9. A process of forming mold charges in the manufacture of dinnerware from plastic adhesive clay comprising forming an elongated slug of plastic clay, depositing the slug on a movable support, intermittently advancing the slug longitudinally by power applied to the support, severing bodies from the slug, shaping the bodies into mold charges simultaneously with the severing operation and predetermining the amount of material contained in the chargeV by the distance the support travels between severing operations.

10. Apparatus for charging porous jigger molds with plastic jiggering clay which comprises, an extrusion machine, an elongated support for receiving extruded slugs of clay containing material for several mold charges, a charge severing device adjacent one end of said support, means -for progressing sai-d slugs in endwise fashion to the cutting off point defined by said charge severing device and means for controlling the volume of clay cut oi including a manually operable ne adjustment device associated with the slug progressing means.

11. Apparatus for feeding clay to a mold' charging device in the manufacture of pottery ware, comp-rising, an endless belt, supporting means for the latter providing a substantially linear and horizontal upper ru-n of said belt capable of supporting a. preformed slug of clay without deformation, a charge severing device operative adjacent the advance end of said run, means for intermittently advancing the upper run of said belt towards the severing device, means for intermittently operating the severing device-in timed relation with they belt movement, and slug gui-des operativebetween the end of said upper run and the severing device.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 comprising; means for adjusting the slug guides toreceive slugs of different cross-section.

13. Apparatus for formingmold charges in the manufactureof pottery ware comprising, an endless slug-feed belt, a charge severing device operative adjacent the advance end of said belt,

' gob shaping means associated with the severing device, means for intermittently advancing the slug and belt towards the severing deVice,.an-d means for intermittently operating the severing devi-ce in timed relation with the movement of the bel-t.

.14. Apparatus for forminor mold charges in the manufacture of pottery ware comprising, a chambered charge former including a charge severing device, means for feeding a slug of clay progressively into the chamber, scrapers arranged to remove adhering clay from the severing device, and means for advancing the feed means and for actuating the severing device in timed relation.

15. Apparatus for forming mold charges in the manufacture of dinnerware and the like from elongated, extruded slugs of clay which comprises, a periodically operable segregating means, means for advancing slugs of clay in endwise fashion to the cutting off point dened by the segregating means at a uniform rate and means adjacent the severing means for imparting a predetermined cross section to the slug to thereby assist in making the volume of clay contained in successive charges of uniform proportions.

16. Apparatus for forming mold charges in the manufacture of pottery ware comprising, a charge severing device, means for intermittently advancing a slug of clay into operative position with respect to the severing device, shaping means adjacent said `charge severing device a-dapted to impart a predetermined cross section to the slug, and uid means for repelling the clay from the shaping means.

17. Apparatus for forming mold charges in the manufacture of pottery war-e comprising, an endless conveyor belt adapted to feed a clay slug longitudinally while preserving its shape and dimensions, a charge severing device operative upon the advance end of the slug, an oscillatory drive member, and connections between said drive member and said belt including a clutch operative to advance the belt in one direction of oscillation of the drive member, and to permit idle motion of said member in its other direction of oscillation.

I18. A device for extruding pottery clay comprising, a container, a nozzle plate formed with a plurality of extrusion orifices and adjustable on the container to bring any of the orifices into extrusion position, and a grooved flange clamp for retaining the nozzle plate in such position.

19. In a pottery making installation, a conveyor belt adapted to convey slugs of clay while preserving their shape and dimensions, a fixed support extending parallel to the direction of travel of a linear portion of said belt, a movable elongated profile member capable of giving form preserving support to the slugs, and means for aligning the profile member on the fixed support with one of its longitudinal edges parallel to the direction of travel of said linear belt portion and in a predetermined location relatively to the axis thereof, said aligning means also permitting tilting of the profile member transversely about said longitudinal edge to transfer a slug from the prole member into a predetermined position on said belt portion.

20. In apparatus for the manufacture of pottery ware in combination, a mold, a movable plunger having a stem for operating said plunger, a clay severing device, means for operating said clay severing device in timed relation with the plunger and a stationary die co-operating with the end of the plunger and said mold on which the Ware is formed, during the application of the clay to the mold.

21. In apparatus of the class specified, a forming die and a support therefor there being a tongue and groove connection therebetween and a releasable lock for preventing relative movement when in associated relation.

22. In combination with a pottery machine for making diversied ware, charge forming means for producing mold charges varying in the amount of clay contained therein in accordance with the requirements of the production from elongated slugs of plastic clay of various cross-sectional dimensions and an extrusion machine for supplying said slugs having means for producing several slugs of various cross-sectional dimensions required, simultaneously.

23. In combination with a pottery machine for manufacturing pottery ware from plastic clay on absorbent molds, charge forming means for s1- multaneously producing a multiple of clay charges some of which contain a greater or lesser amount of clay than others according to the requirements of the production from a plurality of clay slugs ea-ch containing a multiple of mold charges, means for producing said clay slugs and means in the form of transportable receptacles for transporting said slugs from said slug producing means to said charge forming means.

24. In combination with a clay feeder and a pug mill, a receptacle for transporting elongated timber clay slugs between the pug mill and feeder comprising a rigid body portion contoured to preserve the contour of the clay slug means for supporting the receptacle adjacent the pug mill Whilst being lled with clay and means for supporting the receptacle whilst being emptied of clay.

25. The method of manufacturing pottery ware which comprises continuously eXtruding clay in the shape of a column onto a form retaining movable support whilst single charges of measured volume are segregated from one end thereof and are deposited, spread on and adhesively bonded to molds. i

26. The method of feeding clay to molds' in the manufacture of pottery ware which comprises, extruding clay in the shape of a column into rigid transportable supports, said column containing a multiple of mold charges, transporting the said support to an automatic pottery ware fabricating machine feeder and there progressing the column of clay at a uniform rate into the machine feeder whilst charges of measured volume are segregated from one end thereof and are deposited, spread on and adhesively bonded to successively presented jigger molds.

27. In combination with a machine for manufacturing pottery ware on molds, a clay charge producing apparatus, means for forming clay slugs, means for conveying said extruded clay slugs directly upon segregation to said feeding apparatus an-d there rejoining the segregated slugs and means for controlling the rate of extrusion of said clay and the production of clay slugs according to the rate of consumption of said clay by the feeding apparatus.

28. In apparatus for the manufacture of pottery ware, a plurality of charge segregating devices, means associated with each device for feeding clay in the form of slugs detached from the original source of extrusion thereto, drive means for all of said clay feeding apparatus and means for interrupting the feeding of clay to any one charge segregating unit.

29. In combination with an automatic pottery ware fabricating machine, a charge forming apparatus comprising in combination, a pair of jaws forming therebetween a cavity for the reception of clay, means for feeding clay thereinto, means for opening and closing said jaws and means for ejecting clay therefrom. s

30. In a pottery ware manufacturing machine, a clay feeding apparatus for charging molds which comprises a pair of co-operable segregating members, means for actuating said members, means for moving a clay mass containing a multiple of mold charges into operative relation with said members and means for retracting the unsevered portion of said clay incident to co-operation of said members.

31. In combination with a machine for manufacturing pottery ware, a mold charging apparatus comprising a pair of co-operable segregating jaws, means for feeding clay into said jaws, means for opening and closing said jaws, a mold, a mold support, means for ejecting clay from said jaws directly onto the surface of said mold, means for elevating said support and a die for co-operation with said ejecting mechanism to spread said charge over the surface of the mold and apply the same thereto.

32. In combination with a machine for manufacturing pottery ware, a mold charging apparatus comprising a pair of co-operable segregating jaws forming therebetween a cavity for the isolation of a clay charge, means for feeding clay into said jaws, means for opening and closing said jaws, a mold, a mold support, means for ejecting clay from said jaws directly onto the surface of said mold, means for elevating said support and a die for co-operation with said ejecting mechanism to spread said charge over the surface of the mold and apply the same thereto and means for repelling the clay from the clay contacting surface of the die and ejector.

33. Apparatus for forming mold charges in the manufacture of pottery ware comprising, an endless conveyor belt adapted to feed a clay slug while pr-eserving its shape and dimensions, a charge severing device operative upon the advance end of the slug, an oscillatory drive member, means for positively actuating the oscillatory drive member in one direction, elastic means for actuating the oscillatory member in the other direction, a stop controlling the amplitude of oscillation in said other direction, micrometer mechanism permitting fine adjustment of said stop, and connections between the oscillatory member and said belt comprising a clutch engaging the belt with the oscillatory member only during its amplitude controlled movements.

34. Apparatus for forming measured mold charges in making pottery ware comprising, an extrusion device adapted to form a compacted clay column of predetermined cross section, a support movable in the direction of the issuing column and adapted to receive said column and to sustain it with undeformed cross section, an intermittently actuated charge severing device operable on the end of said column, means for starting the extrusion during an intermission in the actuation of the severing device, means responsive to an advance of the column end beyond the severing place for stopping the extrusion, and means responsive to stoppage of the extrusion for actuating the severing device to sever a charge from said column.

35. Apparatus according to claim 34 comprising, a fine adjustment device for determining the response of the extrusion stoppage means.

36. Apparatus according to claim 34 comprising, means for anchoring the column during intermissions in its advance.

37. In apparatus for manufacturing pottery ware, means for forming mold charges comprising, a pair of severing jaws, means for intermittently advancing a compacted slug of clay into. operative position with respect to the severing jaws, and slug shaping means in front of the charge severing jaws adapted to impart a predetermined cross section to the slug.

38. In combination with a clay extrusion machine and apparatus for preparing charges of clay which are applied to molds and jiggered thereon, a rigid portable receptacle for the transportation of clay between the extrusion machine and apparatus for preparing clay charges, said receptacle being shaped to fit the cross section of the extrusion and being of such length as to accommodate a slug of clay containing suflicient material for a multiple of mold charges.

39. In combination with machinery for forming diversified dinnerware and the like shapes on jigger molds that are transported in lines along prescribed paths, a plurality of charge segregating devices, one to a line of molds, means for receiving slugs of clay containing a multiple of mold charges, associated with each segregating device, means for progressing the slugs of clay at a uniform rate towards the segregatin-g devices, and means whereby the rate of advance of some of the slugs can be increased or decreased over others to thereby obtain the desired volume of clay in the charges produced for a particular line or lines of molds.

40. In combination with a pottery machine for manufacturing diversified shapes in or on absorbent molds from plastic clay, an automatic .mold charging means for producing a multiple of charges of varying weight each charge containing a volume of clay approximately equal to the volume of clay in the articles to be produced, means for producing a plurality of extruded clay masses of different cross sectional dimensions corresponding to the size and shape required by the mold charging means and containing a multiple of mold charges and means for feeding said clay masses to said mold charging means.

4l. In combination, a pottery machine for making diversified ware from plastic clay on molds from preformed clay bodies containing a multiple of mold charges, means operable on said clay bodies for segregating clay charges, adjustable means for regulating the Volume of clay contained on the charge, mechanism for manufacturing clay slugs, a conveyor for transporting said clay bodies from said machines to said mold charging means and means for preserving the shape of said slugs incident to transportation.

42. In 4combination with a pottery machine for manufacturing jiggered pottery ware shapes in molds, an extrusion machine, means for transporting extruded clay in segregated lengths to said pottery ware machine comprising a rigid container capable of being lled by the extrusion machine, a plurality of mold charging means associated with said machine, and means for feeding said extruded lengths of clay to said mold charging means, said clay being segregated into mold charges and deposited in or on molds.

43. In combination with a pottery machine for manufacturing jiggered shapes from plastic clay on absorbent molds, means for extruding clay, means for conveying said extruded clay to said pottery ware machine whilst preserving the shape thereof, said last named means comprising a transportable receptacle having a surface for receiving and supporting the extruded clay contoured to t the shape of the extruded clay, a mold charging apparatus associated with said pottery machine having a delivery orifice, and means for progressing said extruded clay into said orice.

44. Apparatus for the manufacture of pottery ware on molds comprising, in combination, an automatic pottery ware machine having a mold charging apparatus, said mold charging apparatus having a delivery orifice, means for transporting extruded clay to said mold charging apparatus comprising a transportable container contoured to preclude distortion of the clay body incident to transportation and enable positioning of the extruded clay in endwise relation relative to the delivery orifice.

`45. In combination, a machine for manufacturing pottery ware on molds having a plurality of mold charging apparatus, means for extruding clay in column form and means for gravitating said column to said mold charging apparatus.

46. In combination, a pottery ware fabricating machine having one or more of mold charging apparatus, means for extruding clay in column form and means for transporting said column in segregated bodies to said feeding means comprising an elongated rigid receptacle shaped to t the column of clay lengthwise and heightwise.

47. In combination, a pottery Ware fabricating machine having a charge segregating apparatus, means for extruding clay in column form, and means for -transporting said column to said mold charging apparatus, said last named means including a rigid container adapted to provide lengthwise and crosswise support to said column.

48. In combination, a pottery ware fabricating machine having a clay feeding apparatus, means for extruding clay in column form, means comprising a renllable receptable for transporting said column to said clay feeding apparatus,

and means for supporting said receptacle in position to receive a column of clay from said extruding means.

49. In combination, a pottery ware fabricating machine having a mold charging apparatus, means for extruding clay in column form, a rellable container adapted to receive extruded clay and in which said clay is transported to said mold charging apparatus, receptacle transporting means driven at a speed commensurate with the rate of extrusion.

50. In combination, a pottery ware Afabricating machine having a plurality of mold charging apparatus, a pug mill mounted in front of each of said apparatus and adapted to extrude clay directly into said apparatus and means for synchronizing the operation of said mold charging apparatus and said pug mill.

51. In combination with pottery ware fabricating machinery, a plurality of mold chargers for producing clay charges, an extrusion machine for supplying extruded lengths of clay containing material for several mold charges from which said charges are .produced and means for transporting clay between the extrusion machine and mold charging apparatus comprising rigid, portable, reiillable receptacles capable of being filled by the extrusion machine and delivering clay to any one of the mold chargers.

52. In combination, a pottery ware fabricating machine having a mold charging apparatus in- -cluding a conveyor, drive means therefor, a pug mill arranged adjacent one end of said conveyor and adapted to eXtrude directly thereonto, drive means for said conveyor and said pug mill and means for synchronizing the operation of said pug mill drive means, said conveyor actua-ting means and said mold charging apparatus.

53. In combination, a pottery ware fabricating machine having a mold charging apparatus including a conveyor, a pug mill arranged adjacent one end of said conveyor and adapted to extrude directly thereonto, drive means for said conveyor and said pug mill and means for synchronizing the operation of said pug mill drive means and said conveyor actuating means.

54. In combination, a. pottery ware machine having a clay feeder, a clay conveyor associated with said feeder, a platen associated with said conveyor and over which the clay passes and means for precluding adhesion of clay therewith.

55. In combination, a pottery ware machine having a clay feeder, a clay conveyor associated with said feeder, a platen associated with said conveyor, said platen having a fluid penetrable upper face through which air under pressure can be discharged to preclude adhesion of clay therewith.

56. In apparatus for the manufacture of pottery ware, the combination which comprises, an automatic pottery ware fabricating machine, means for charging the molds of said machine with a plastic normally adhesive clay includingl a charge segregating mechanism and means for feeding clay in lengths thereto, said charge segregating means and said feeding means having non-adhesive clay engaging surfaces.

57. In combination with a machine for fabricating pottery ware on molds, a mold charging apparatus including means having a delivery orifice, means for progressing clay in extruded length into said orifice and means co-operable with the mold in shaping the charge thereon for ejecting clay from said orice.

58. In combination with a pottery ware fabricating machine, a mold charging apparatus comprising a pair of segregating jaws forming therebetween a cavity for the isolation of a charge of clay, means for opening and closing said jaws, means for feeding clay into said jaws and means for operating said last named means in timed relation with the opening and closing of said Jaws.

59. In a pottery Ware manufacturing machine, a clay feeding apparatus for charging molds which comprises a pair of cutting jaws, means for operating and closing said jaws, means for feeding clay into said jaws and means for retracting the unsevered portion of said clay incident to closing of said jaws.

60. In combination with a machine for manufacturing pottery ware, a mold charging apparatus comprising a pair of co-operable segregating jaws forming therebetween a cavity for the isolation of a clay charge, means for feeding clay into said jaws, means for opening and closing said jaws, a mold, a mold support, means for ejecting clay from said jaws directly onto the surface of said mold, means for elevating said supporting and a die for co-operation with said ejecting mechanism to spread said charge over the surface of the mold and apply the same thereto.

61. In combination with a pottery ware fabricating machine, a mold charging apparatus comprising a pair of separable segregating jaws having co-operable cutting edges, means for feeding clay into said jaws, means for opening and closing said jaws and means for removing adhering clay from the cutting edges of said jaws.

62. In combination with a machine for manufacturing pottery ware, a clay segregating apparatus comprising a pair of separable segregating jaws, means for progressing clay into said jaws, means for guiding the clay into said jaws and means for opening and closing said jaws.

63. In a clay segregating apparatus, the combination which comprises, a pair of segregating jaws forming a cavity for the isolation of a clay charge, means for opening and closing said jaws, means for automatically feeding clay into said cavity, means for precluding adhesion of the clay with the walls of said cavity, and means for ejecting said clay therefrom.

64. The method of manufacturing pottery articles in a mold which comprises separating a portion of plastic material from a parent mass to produce a, mold-charge in a position elevated with respect to the mold, and by the movement of a member axially of the mold propelling the mold-charge toward the mold and depositing and shaping it therein.

65. The method of manufacturing pottery articles in a mold which comprises separating a portion of plastic material from a, parent mass to produce a mold-charge and by the movement of a forming member axially of the mold depositing the mold-charge and shaping the same in the mold and imparting relative rotational movement between the forming member and the clay charge incident to the shaping operation.

66. An apparatus for manufacturing pottery ware, the combination with a mold of a forming member arranged for reciprocation axially of the mold for depositing and shaping moldcharges therein together with means in which clay charges are formed and from which said charges are ejected by the forming member and deposited and shaped in the mold.

67. The method of manufacturing pottery articles in a mold which comprises separating in one position a portion of the plastic material from the parent mass to produce a mold-charge, transferring the mold-charge into registration with a mold, and by the movement of a member axially of the mold both depositing the mold-charge in the mold and shaping it therein forming the pottery article.

63. The method of manufacturing pottery articles in a mold' which comprises separating a portion of the plastic material from the parent mass to produce a, mold-charge, transferring the mold-charge into registration with a mold, and by the progressive movement of a forming member axially of the mold depositing the moldcharge and shaping the same in the mold.

69. In apparatus for manufacturing pottery articles, the combination with a mold of a forming member arranged for reciprocation axially of said mold for shaping mold-charges therein, means for producing mold charges and for transferring the mold-charges into position between the forming member and the mold and in registration with the mold whereby the movement of the forming member deposits the moldcharges in the mold preparatory to shaping the same therein.

70. In apparatus for manufacturing pottery articles, the combination of a mold, a forming member arranged for movement axially of the mold to deposit and shape mold charges therein, a container arranged to receive the plastic material, a member arranged for movement into and out of the container and into and out of registration with the mold, said member having an aperture therein to receive plastic material to produce a mold-charge, and means for severing said mold-charges from the parent mass.

71. In apparatus for the manufacture of jiggered pottery ware, in combination, an extrusion machine, a mold charging apparatus, a receptacle lfor transporting extruded clay between said extrusion machine and said mold charging apparatus, said receptacle being shaped to lit the extruded clay, means for supporting said receptacle adjacent the mold charging apparatus whilst being emptied of clay, said clay being progressed into said mold charging apparatus and means for cutting clay charges therefrom.

'72. In combination, an extrusion machine, a mold charging apparatus having a delivery orifice, a rigid transportable receptacle for carrying extruded clay between the extrusion machine and the mold charging apparatus, means associated with said mold charging apparatus for supporting said receptacle whilst being emptied of clay, said clay being progressed into the delivery orifice and means for cutting clay charges therefrom.

'7 3. In combination, an extrusion machine having a delivery orifice, mold charging apparatus having a delivery outlet, means for charging the mold charging apparatus with clay including a rigid transportable receptacle corresponding in cross section to the shape of the discharge orifice at least in part for receiving and transporting extruded clay without shape deformation to the mold charging apparatus, means for cutting clay charges therefrom, means for progressing said clay into the delivery outlet and means for regulating the discharge of clay through said outlet.

l74. The method in the manufacture of ,pottery ware, which comprises, extruding plastic clay into open-ended rigid transportable receptacles to form elongated slugs of clay containing material for several mold charges, transporting the slugs by means of the receptacles to a position from which the slugs are fed in the form of a column in endwise fashion to a cutting off point, and producing in succession charges of clay of substantially uniform weight therefrom by progressing the column of slugs like distances between severings, reducing the leading end of the leading slug to a uniform cross section prior to severance and cutting through the slug at spaced intervals of equal duration.

75. In combination with a pug mill having a clay receiving chamber and an outlet in one wall thereof, means for mounting external attachments thereon in registry with the outlet comprising a grooved flange clamp.

76. In combination, clay feeding apparatus including segregating means, an extrusion machine for producing slugs of plastic clay containing material for a multiple of mold charges, rigid reiillable Containers for receiving and transporting said slugs from said extrusion machine to said feeding apparatus, means for progressing said slugs in an endwise direction to said segregating means, there being means forming a reduced passage through which a slug is progressed prior to segregation to reduce the cross section thereof.

77. In combination, an intermittently movable mold support, a die arranged in registration therewith, charge feeding apparatus including segregating means, an extrusion machine for producing elongated slugs of plastic clay containing material for a multiple of mold charges, and rigid.

refillable containers for receiving and transporting said slugs to said clay feeding apparatus.

78. In combination,v an extrusion machine, a clay feeder, rigid refillable receptacles for transporting elongated slugs of clay containing material for a multiple of mold charges therebetween, means for supporting said receptacles on said feeder whilst being emptied, means for progressing said slugs into the range of operation of a charge segregating means, and a charge segregating means operable to segregate charges of clay successively from the leading end of the clay fed thereto.`

79. In combination, an extrusion machine, a clay feeder, rigid rellable receptacles for transporting elongated slugs of clay containing a multiple of mold charges therebetween, means for supporting said receptacles on said feeder whilst being emptied, means for progressing said slugs into the range of operation of a charge segregating means, a chamber in which the charge is isolated and means for ejecting the charge from the chamber.

80. In combination, a clay extrusion machine, rigid por-table receptacles for receiving and transporting elongated lengths of extruded clay and conveying means disposed below the nozzle of said extrusion machine on which said receptacles are disposed and advanced as they are being filled with clay.

8l. In combination, a clay extrusion machine, a rigid transportable receptacle for receiving and transporting elongated leng-ths of extruded clay, said receptacles comprising a body portion substantially L-shaped in cross section and adapted to support the bottom and side of the length of clay.

82. The method of feeding charges of plastic clay to molds on which particles of pottery ware are formed comprising the steps of depositing a mass of plastic clay containing the material for a multiple of mold charges in a rigid receptacle, transporting the receptacle without distorting or -disturbing the uniformity of the mass of clay to a mold-feeding mechanism, feeding the mass of clay through a reduced passage, and severing charges from the leading end of the mass and depositing the charges on successive molds presented to the mold feeding mechanism.

83. In the manufacture of dinner ware and other pottery ware, the method which comprises forming elongated masses of plastic clay each containing sufficient material to provide for a plurality of mold charges, individually shifting the masses, while rigidly supporting them to prevent distortion thereof, into adjacency to a moldfeeding station, progressing the clay of a mass toward the feeding station, at intervals transversely severing the leading end portion ofthe mass to produce individual mold charges, and de- .positing the severed charges upon molds.

84. In combination with a mold supporting means for receiving and supporting jigger molds, apparatus for supplying clay to said molds comprising a mold charging device adjacent the mold supporting means arranged to contain an4 elongated mass of clay and to supply from the leading end of the mass individual charges to molds successively presented thereunder, a pug mill arranged to supply independent elongated masses of plastic clay each containing su-icient material for a multiple of mold charges, a rigid rellable receptacle for receiving and transporting an independent mass of clay discharged from the pug mill to the mold charging device, the clay being delivered thereby to the mold charging device in alignment with the trailing end of the mass of clay carried thereby.

85. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of pottery molds along a path wherein clay is formed on the molds into articles of pottery, a mold charging apparatus above the general path of the molds for feeding charges of clay thereto successively presented thereunder, an extrusion machine arranged to supply an elongated mass of plastic clay containing sufficient material for a number of mold charges, a rigid reiillable container arranged for receiving and carrying the mass of plastic clay discharged from the extrusion machine to the mold charging apparatus without distortion of the mass, the clay being delivered thereby to the mold charging apparatus in alignment with the trailing end of the mass of clay carried by the mold charging apparatus, there being a cutter associated with 4the mold charging apparatus for segregating individual mold charges and means for operating the cutter.

86. In combination with apparatus for advancing a line of pottery molds along a path wherein clay is formed on the molds into articles of pottery, a mold charging apparatus above the general path of the molds for feeding charges of clay thereto successively presented thereunder, an extrusion machine arranged to supply an elongated mass of plastic clay containing sufficient material for a number of mold charges, a rigid refillable container arranged for receiving and carrying 4the mass of plastic clay discharged from the extrusion machine to the mold charging apparatus without distortion of the mass and a support adjacent the trailing end of the mass of clay carried by the feeder, for receiving the container.

87. A system of supplying clay to the molds of an automatic jiggering machine which comprises positioning molds in consecutive order below the outlet of the passage through which plastic clay is forced, supplying additional quantities of clay to be forced through the passage by extruding masses of clay into rigid reiillable containers and carrying the masses of clay thereby without distortion to a point adjacent the passage and from whence the mass of clay may be fed into the passage.

88. In combination with means for receiving and supporting jigger molds, apparatus for supplying clay to the molds comprising molds charging apparatus arranged to hold an elongated mass of clay movable therethrough, and to supply from the leading end of the mass individual charges to molds successively presented thereto, an extrusion machine arranged to produce independent elongated slugs of plastic clay each containing suflicient material for a multiple of moldcharges, and a rigid refillable receptacle for receiving and transporting slugs of clay t0 a position where ,the slug is in general alignment with the trailing end of said elongated mass and may be united thereto, and means for advancing the clay.

89. Apparatus for making dinnerware or like pottery ware comprising a pu-g-mill for extruding elongated slugs of clay, a series of elongated rigid receptacles, means for supporting the receptacles in clay-receiving relation to the pugmill, whereby the slugs of clay are extruded to said receptacles and are supported thereby for substantially their entire length, a forming unit adapted to fabricate charges of clay into ware,

severing means associated with the unit for producing individual charges of clay, means for guiding clay into position to be operated on by said severing means, said guiding means being remote from the pug-mill and adapted to receive clay by bodily transfer of one of the receptacles, with the slugs of clay supported thereby, from the discharge zone of the `pug-mill, said guiding means being arranged to receive clay from successive receptacles in such manner that the trailing end of the slug of clay supplied from one receptacle is in alinement with the leading end of the slug of clay supplied from the succeeding receptacle and may be united therewith, and means for advancing the clay received by the guiding means at a predetermined rate.

90. In apparatus for applying charges of clay to jigger molds, the combination which comprises, a relatively movable mold chuck and die for spreading clay over the molding surface of a porous jigger mold, means for moving the die and chuck in relative fashion aforesaid capable of producing a slight separating movement of the die and chuck upon completion of the pressing operation, and means for stripping the clay and mold from the die upon slight separating movement of the chuck and die.

91. The process of applying jigger clay to jiggering molds which comprises, depositing the mold in a chuck, feeding a charge of clay to said mold, and by relative movement between a die, and the mold and chuck, spreadin-g the charge over the molding surface of the mold, slightly separating the chuck and die at the completion of the pressing operation and disengaging the clay and mold from the die whilst the mold and chuck are slightly separated.

`92. In combination with apparatus for advancing several lines of jigger molds to feeding and formin-g positions, charge segregating means associated with each line of molds, means for supporting an elongated mass of clay in endwise fashion adjacent each charge segregating means, each mass containing suflcient material for several mold charges, and apparatus for replenishing the elongated masses of clay with additional clay comprising an extrusion machine, and a plurality of transportable receptacles, for receiving and transporting clay from the extrusion machine to a position of alignment with the trailing end of the elongated masses of clay, there being receptacle supports adjacent each means for supporting elongated masses of clay for receiving, interchangeably, the various receptacles.

93. In the manufacture of jiggered pottery Ware, the method of delivering a supply of jiggering clay from which mold charges are produced to a position from which it is fed to molds Which comprises, extruding clay in a solid column of predetermined cross section into a rigid transportable receptacle shaped to t the cross sectional shape of the extrusion, segregating the clay from the parent extrusion when the receptacle is lled, transporting the said receptacle to a feeding position and there dumping the clay out of the receptacle.

94. In the manufacture of jiggered .pottery ware, the method of delivering a supply of jiggering clay from which mold charges are produced toa position from which it is fed to molds which comprises, extruding clay in a solid column of predetermined cross section into a rigid transportable receptacle, said receptacle being of such construction that it supports the detached body of clay in its original extruded shape over at least a portion of the surface area thereof in a direction parallel to the long axis thereof and perpendicular thereto, segregating the clay from the parent extrusion when the receptacle is filled, transporting the said receptacle to a feeding position and there dumping the clay out of the receptacle.

95. In the manufacture of jiggered pottery ware, the method of delivering a supply of jiggering clay from which mold charges are produced to a position from which it is fed to molds which comprises, extruding clay in a solid column of predetermined cross section into a rigid transportable receptacle, said receptacle being of such construction -that it supports the clay in original extruded shape along all surfaces in contact therewith against deformation, segregating the clay from the parent mass, transporting said receptacle to a feeding position and there dumping the clay out of the receptacle.

96. In the manufacture of jiggered pottery ware, the method of delivering a supply of yplastic clay to a position from which it is fed to molds which comprises, extruding a solid column of clay of predetermined cross section and then preserving the original extruded form and cross sectional shape of the column Whilst transporting-the same to a feeding position by receiving the column in a rigid transportable receptacle shaped to fit the cross sectional shape of the column at least in part, and transporting the column by means of said support to the aforesaid feeding position and there dumping the clay out of the receptacle.

97. In combination with a machine for extruding pottery jiggering clay in the form of a solid column of predetermined cross section, a transportable receptacle for receiving said extruded clay and transporting the same when detached from the parent body to a position from whence it is fed to molds comprising a body portion composed of rigid material having a cross sectional shape corresponding at least in part to the original extruded shape of the clay column and a support on which the receptacle is disposed incident to emptying said support having adjustable means for locating the receptacle at the emptying position.

98. In combination, a clay extrusion machine adapted to extrude a solid column of pottery clay, a transportable receptacle into which the clay column is extruded for transportation thereby to an emptying point and means on which said receptacle is movably supported whilst being filled with clay.

99. In combination, an extrusion machine adapted to produce a solid column of pottery clay, a support arranged adjacent said extrusion machine, transportable receptacles adapted to be supported on said support whilst being lled With clay from the extrusion machine, said support permitting relative movement between the receptacle and the extrusion machine Whilst being filled.

100. In combination, an extrusion machine for producing la solid column of pottery clay, a movable support located adjacent thereto, transportable receptacles adapted to receive a column of clay mounted on said support, said receptacles being propelled on said support whilst being filled by the force of extrusion.

WILLIAM J. MILLER. 

